The father of the groom then toasted the newlyweds, wishing them a long and happy life together.

After meeting and greeting guests, the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge cut their wedding cake. "Kate looked immaculate, she was beaming the whole time," said one.

Later that evening, the party continued with Charles as the host. He laid on a dinner for 300 people to celebrate his son's marriage, which went on until the early hours of the morning.

Prince Harry is said to have then delivered his light-hearted best man speech.

In keeping with tradition, he poked fun at the expense of the groom, before paying tribute to his brother and new sister-in-law.

William and his father also said a few words and kept up the banter with some gentle mocking of their own.

The Prince of Wales made a reference to his eldest son's bald spot, and said he hoped William would look after him in old age, joking that he would "push his wheelchair off a cliff."

William responded with a quip about his father's waistline.

In his speech, the groom also described being in love with Kate and the importance he placed on family.

The end of the party was heralded by 20 seconds of fireworks which were greeted by loud cheers from inside the Palace walls.

Guests left between 11pm and 3am, with the best man one of the last to leave in a minibus accompanied by a dozen party-goers.

He had insisted that bacon and sausage sandwiches were available later on in the night following the evening's official dinner - crab to start, followed by lamb.

The bride and groom were spotted leaving Clarence House for the party shortly after 8pm. Kate wore her second dress of the day by Sarah Burton – a strapless white satin evening gown with a circle skirt and diamante embroidery.

Her family were seen leaving the Goring hotel half an hour earlier. Maid of honour Pippa Middleton changed into a floor-length emerald sleeveless gown with a plunging neckline by Alice Temperley.

Her mother Carole chose a black dress with capped sleeves that featured a low-cut back and tiered skirt.